BOYS SOCCER: Loyola’s quick start ends Corona’s season

LOS ANGELES â" The start proved to be the stopper on Corona Highâs boys soccer season.

Host Los Angeles Loyola scored twice in the first eight minutes and held off Coronaâs comeback bids, beating the Panthers 4-2 in Thursdayâs semifinal of the CIF Southern California Regional Division I tournament.

Corona (22-7-2) saw its win streak snapped at nine games, while top-seeded Loyola advances to Saturdayâs regional final in Downey with a 29-0-6 record.

âWe came out soft and gave up easy goals right away,â said Corona coach Mike Sutherland. ââ¦ But a far lesser team wouldnât have battled back.

âWe were pushing and trying to get that third goal â¦ Youâve got to swing the bat, but it didnât go our way.â

Lucas Hodges gave Loyola a 1-0 lead off a rebound of his own initial in the fourth minute, delivered the corner kick that Timothy Mehl converted in the eighth minute, and also provided the clinching score in the 63rd minute.

âItâs definitely really important to get a quick start and be able to put their hopes down,â Hodges said.

Corona halved the deficit when Leo Bahena scored in the 24th minute, but Loyola responded just three minutes later when Tommy Fraher was left wide open at the left post to convert a cross.

Corona again pulled within a goal when Michael Ahn scored on a penalty kick in the 32nd minute, after Eli Isibor was brought down inside the 18-yard box.

Join the conversation

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to allow Freedom Communications, Inc. the right to republish your name and comment in additional Freedom publications without any notification or payment.